The Best Tinted Sunscreens for Skin of Color: NP Approved
Tinted sunscreen plays a vital role in dermatologic care for patients with skin of color. Beyond offering broad-spectrum protection, these formulations help prevent and manage pigmentary disorders such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma by shielding the skin from visible light. Despite this clinical significance, many aesthetic and dermatology nurse practitioners are not fully aware of the unique benefits tinted sunscreens offer or how to recommend them effectively in practice. Here, I build on that foundation as well as provide a curated list of tinted sunscreens recommended by dermatology nurse practitioners who attended the 2025 Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners (SDNP) Conference. Further, this article includes DNP project ideas, PhD nurse-led research opportunities, and business recommendations for entrepreneurs seeking to close the gap in photoprotection for skin of color patients. Lastly, I discuss the SDNP and its role in advancing dermatology nursing through education, advocacy, and certification preparation.
This is a follow-up article to Why Dermatology Nurse Practitioners Should Recommend Tinted Sunscreen for Skin of Color Patients, which explored the science, clinical relevance, and cultural context of this important recommendation.
Join the waitlist for my newest book: Nursing Aesthetics: An Introductory Guide for Nurse Practitioners & Entrepreneurs!
Why Tinted Sunscreen Matters
For patients with melanin-rich skin, the white cast left by many traditional sunscreens discourages consistent use. Tinted sunscreens are cosmetically elegant, inclusive, and effective. They provide protection against both ultraviolet and visible light, which is especially important in managing pigmentary disorders. By recommending the right products, aesthetic and dermatology nurse practitioners can improve patient compliance, enhance outcomes, and promote a standard of care that reflects the lived experiences of diverse populations.
Historical Background: The FDA and Sunscreen Testing Bias The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began regulating sunscreens in the late 1970s and issued its first monograph for over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen products in 1978. However, the testing and development of sunscreen formulations were largely influenced by the needs and concerns of lighter-skinned populations. The FDA did not, and still does not, require sunscreen manufacturers to test products on diverse skin tones before approval or marketing.
SPF testing standards focus on UVB protection and rely on erythema (visible redness) as the primary endpoint, which is less visible or harder to detect in darker skin tones. This results in data and product formulations that are optimized for lighter skin. Cosmetic considerations like texture, finish, and visible residue were never part of the FDA's regulatory requirements, meaning manufacturers weren’t incentivized to create cosmetically elegant sunscreens for melanin-rich skin. Mineral sunscreens, which use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, often leave a white or grayish cast, especially on darker skin. Brands weren’t required to test or reformulate to address this problem, so the white cast remained an afterthought for decades. Most dermatologic studies used participants with Fitzpatrick skin types I–III, neglecting darker skin types. The lack of inclusive data has affected product development, safety evaluation, and marketing strategies.
Impact Today Because of this history, many legacy sunscreen products do not blend well on deeper skin tones, contributing to low usage and mistrust of sun protection among people of color. It also fuels a misconception that darker skin doesn’t need sunscreen, a dangerous myth, especially considering that conditions like hyperpigmentation, melasma, and skin cancer can still impact people with melanin-rich skin.
In response, there's been a recent push, driven by dermatologists, nurse practitioners, consumer advocates, and researchers of color, for more inclusive testing, tinted formulations, and educational campaigns targeting skin of color. Some indie and Black-owned sunscreen brands have emerged to fill this gap, but structural reform in FDA guidelines and industry standards is still needed.
Simply Shady developed by Simone "Queen" Hopes, PA-C (biochemist and dermatology Physician Associate), currently practicing in Houston, Texas
Curated by Clinicians: Tinted Sunscreen Favorites from the SDNP Conference
Below is a list of tinted sunscreens that were highlighted by dermatology nurse practitioners attending the SDNP Conference (and some of my favorites). These recommendations are categorized to support different budgets, skin types, and patient needs.
Best for Skin of Color – Suntegrity Tinted Sunscreen – EltaMD AOX Elements – Neutrogena Pure Screen – Drmtlgy Universal Tinted Facial Sunscreen – ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless – Simply Shady Tinted Sunscreen – CoTZ Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Budget-Friendly Options – Neutrogena Pure Screen – Cetaphil for Rosacea-Prone Skin – Eucerin Sensitive Skin – La Roche-Posay Mineral Tinted Sunscreen – CoTZ Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Skin Type Match Rosacea or Sensitive Skin – EltaMD UV Skin Recovery – Cetaphil Rosacea-Prone Skin – La Roche-Posay Mineral Tinted – Eucerin Sensitive Skin – CoTZ Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Dry or Mature Skin – ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless – TIZO – CoTZ Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Nursing Implications of Photoprotection in Skin of Color Patients
Photoprotection is a cornerstone of dermatologic and preventative health, yet in patients with skin of color (SOC), it is often misunderstood, underemphasized, or poorly addressed in clinical care. While melanin provides some natural defense against UV radiation, SOC patients are still at risk for photoaging, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), melasma, and skin cancers that often go undiagnosed until later stages. Nurses, particularly those in dermatology, primary care, and community health, have a critical role in closing this gap.
From bedside to community outreach, nurses are often the first to provide patient education, assess skincare routines, and recommend products. However, SOC patients may face barriers to sunscreen adherence, such as the lack of cosmetically elegant options, mistrust of providers, or myths like “Black skin doesn’t burn.” When nurses are not equipped to address these issues through culturally relevant education and product guidance, the result is delayed care, persistent pigmentary disorders, and missed opportunities for prevention.
To address this, nursing practice must evolve to include:
-Culturally aware assessment tools that consider skin phototype and patient beliefs around sun exposure.
-Evidence-based education about UV and visible light damage in melanin-rich skin.
-Product literacy, especially around tinted and mineral sunscreens designed to blend well on deeper skin tones.
-Collaborative care strategies that include dermatologists, estheticians, pharmacists, and public health nurses.
These changes are essential not only in dermatology clinics, but also in family practice, pediatrics, school health, oncology, home health, and anywhere nurses encounter SOC populations.
Scholarly Opportunities in Photoprotection for Nurses
Nurses at all levels, from clinical educators to DNP students to PhD nurse scientists, can contribute to closing the photoprotection gap through innovation, inquiry, and advocacy.
DNP Project Idea: Evaluating Tinted Sunscreen Adherence Among Patients with Skin of Color in Primary Care Dermatology
Project Overview:
This DNP project aims to evaluate the adherence of SOC patients to using tinted sunscreens in primary care or dermatology settings. The project would involve a systematic assessment of patient behavior, barriers to sunscreen use, and preferences regarding tinted sunscreens. The ultimate goal is to identify strategies for improving adherence to photoprotection regimens and enhancing patient outcomes, including the prevention of hyperpigmentation and the management of existing sun damage. Expedited or Full IRB Review may be required when patients are recruited.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Implementation:
1. Literature Review:
– Conduct a comprehensive literature review on the current evidence related to sunscreen use in SOC populations, focusing on the benefits of tinted sunscreens.
– Explore studies that have examined sunscreen adherence, barriers to usage, and specific preferences of SOC patients regarding sunscreen products.
– Review existing patient education resources related to sunscreen adherence and sun protection for SOC individuals.
2. Implement a Screening Tool:
– Find a validated survey or questionnaire that will be used to assess patient sunscreen habits, knowledge about photoprotection, and previous experiences with sunscreen (specifically tinted sunscreens).
The tool should include questions on:
– Current sunscreen use patterns (frequency, type of sunscreen used, etc.).
– Barriers to sunscreen adherence (e.g., texture, white cast, cost, skin irritation).
– Willingness to use tinted sunscreen.
– Patient understanding of the benefits of tinted sunscreen for their skin type.
3. Patient Education Component:
– Implement an educational intervention focused on the benefits of tinted sunscreens for SOC patients, including:
– The science behind tinted sunscreen and how it can address concerns like hyperpigmentation.
– Explanation of how tinted sunscreen can provide both UV and visible light protection, which is especially relevant for SOC patients concerned with pigmentation issues.
– Offer educational materials (handouts, videos, etc.) to patients in primary care or dermatology settings.
4. Intervention Implementation:
– Integrate the sunscreen adherence survey into routine appointments. Patients should complete the survey as part of their visit.
– Provide SOC patients with sample sizes or small tubes of tinted sunscreen to use over a specified period (e.g., 30 days).
– Ensure that patients understand how to properly apply the product to ensure adequate protection at the start of the day and throughout.
5. Data Collection and Monitoring:
– Monitor patient usage of the tinted sunscreen over the specified period. This could include regular follow-up calls or emails, asking patients about their experience, compliance, and any issues they may have encountered.
– Collect data on sunscreen adherence, such as how often patients are applying the product and any barriers to continued use (e.g., product irritation, dislike of the tint, cost).
6. Evaluate Clinical Outcomes:
– Evaluate the impact of tinted sunscreen use on clinical outcomes such as improvements in hyperpigmentation, reduced sun damage, and increased protection against UV-induced skin changes.
– Conduct a pre- and post-intervention evaluation to assess changes in patients' photoprotection habits, their skin's condition, and any improvements in patient satisfaction and confidence.
7. Data Analysis and Reporting:
– Analyze the collected data to identify trends in adherence rates, factors influencing patient compliance, and the overall impact on patient outcomes.
– Share the results with stakeholders within the dermatology practice, and prepare a comprehensive report that outlines recommendations for improving sunscreen adherence in SOC patients.
8. Dissemination of Findings:
– Present your findings at relevant conferences, such as those focused on dermatology, nursing, or health disparities.
– Publish your results in a peer-reviewed journal and share with the media
– Share your recommendations for improving sunscreen adherence in SOC populations with primary care and dermatology practices, nursing schools, and the public, with a focus on integrating tinted sunscreen options into routine patient care.
Other DNP Project Ideas:
-Creating Clinical Policies for Educating Skin of Color Patients About Sun Protection Practices: Utilize the latest evidence-based data and clinical guidelines to establish clinical policies or standard operating procedures to educate and treat skin of color patients about skin phototyping, risk factors, photoaging, preventative measures, and potential outcomes.
-Implementing a Tinted Sunscreen Sample Program in Community Clinics: Start a community clinic-based initiative that provides patients with tinted sunscreen samples, helping them overcome barriers to sunscreen use and fostering long-term adherence. Contact a local representative or sunscreen creators for samples, and emphasize the benefits of the promotion.
-Measuring Clinical Outcomes in Hyperpigmentation with Consistent Tinted Sunscreen Use: Collaborate with a nurse scientist to conduct a clinical trial assessing the impact of daily use of tinted sunscreen on hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions commonly seen in SOC populations.
PhD Nurse Scientists Research Opportunities:
Title: Barriers to Sun Protection Adherence in Racially Diverse Populations
Background and Nursing Implications:
Despite growing awareness of sun safety, patients with SOC are significantly less likely to use daily sunscreen or other photoprotective measures, often due to a combination of misconceptions, limited culturally appropriate products, and lack of targeted education. This gap contributes to under-recognition and delayed diagnosis of skin cancers and worsens chronic pigmentary disorders such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
As frontline educators and care coordinators, nurses play a pivotal role in uncovering these behavioral health patterns and intervening through culturally informed strategies. Yet, we lack large-scale, nurse-led studies that rigorously examine why these disparities persist and how to address them through systemic, clinical, and consumer-focused change.
Research Purpose:
To explore the sociocultural, behavioral, and structural barriers that influence sun protection adherence among racially diverse populations, with a focus on identifying actionable strategies to improve photoprotection practices in clinical and community settings.
Research Questions:
1. What are the most commonly reported personal, cultural, and systemic barriers to sunscreen adherence among individuals with skin of color?
2. How do healthcare provider recommendations (or lack thereof) influence sun protection behaviors in SOC populations?
3. What role does product formulation, availability, and marketing play in adherence among racially diverse patients?
4. How do factors such as trust in providers, perceived susceptibility, and cosmetic acceptability influence adherence?
Methodology:
1. Design:
A mixed-methods study that combines quantitative survey data from a large, diverse sample population and qualitative interviews or focus groups with SOC patients to dive deeper into lived experiences, perceptions, and values related to sun protection.
2. Sample:
Adults (18+) identifying as Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, or multiracial, recruited from dermatology clinics, community health centers, and online platforms. The sample will be stratified by gender identity, age, and skin tone using the Roberts Skin Type Classification System.
3. Data Collection Tools:
Validated survey instruments will assess sun protection habits, knowledge, product use, healthcare access, and trust in providers. Semi-structured interview guides will be used for in-depth patient narratives.
4. Analysis:
Statistical analysis of quantitative data will identify trends and correlations. Thematic analysis of qualitative data will be conducted using grounded theory or framework analysis to build a model of barriers and facilitators.
Expected Outcomes:
The study is expected to generate a comprehensive list of personal, cultural, and healthcare system-related barriers to sunscreen use in SOC communities. It will identify key gaps in provider education, communication, and product recommendation strategies, and offer insight into how marketing, packaging, and formulation affect acceptance of tinted or mineral sunscreens.
Implications for Nursing Science & Practice:
For practice, this study will inform aesthetic and dermatology NPs, nurses, and students about the nuanced needs of SOC patients and enhance culturally congruent care strategies. From a policy standpoint, it will support advocacy for the inclusion of SOC-specific sun protection education in national dermatology and nursing practice guidelines. In terms of education, it will support curriculum changes in nursing schools that emphasize inclusive dermatologic care and health behavior change in underserved groups. For research, this will serve as a foundational study to design and test future interventions, including patient education models, sunscreen trial inclusion guidelines, and nurse-led community outreach programs.
Next Steps and Dissemination:
The next steps include IRB approval and pilot testing instruments. Findings will be disseminated through the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses' Association, the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology's NP + PA Perspectives in Dermatology, the Journal of Dermatology for NPs & PAs, the Journal for Nurse Practitioners, the Journal of Transcultural Nursing, and through poster or podium presentations at dermatology and nursing research conferences in the United States and internationally. Applications will also be submitted for NIH/NINR or PCORI grants to expand the study to a national multicenter effort.
Other PhD Nurse Scientists Opportunities
-Longitudinal Impact of Visible Light Protection in Melanin-Rich Skin: Explore how protection from visible light (in addition to UV) affects skin health, particularly in individuals with melanin-rich skin.
-Representation of Skin of Color in Dermatologic Sunscreen Trials: Conduct research on the extent to which SOC patients are represented in sunscreen clinical trials and the impact of this representation (or lack thereof) on treatment recommendations.
-The Role of Culturally Relevant Product Recommendations in Nurse-Patient Trust: Explore how culturally considerate product recommendations can enhance trust between healthcare providers and SOC patients, leading to better patient outcomes.
Entrepreneurial Recommendations:
-Launch a Private-Label Tinted Sunscreen Line for Melanin-Rich Skin Tones: Start a business by developing and marketing a line of tinted sunscreens specifically formulated for SOC patients.
-Develop CME Modules on Skin of Color Sun Protection for Advanced Practice Providers: Create educational materials for nurse practitioners, dermatology professionals, and other advanced practice providers focused on sun protection in diverse populations.
-Partner with Medspas and Clinics to Stock Curated Tinted Sunscreen Collections: Collaborate with medspas and dermatology clinics to offer curated collections of tinted sunscreens tailored to SOC patients.
-Create a Virtual Tool or App That Matches Patients with Sunscreens Based on Skin Tone, Concerns, and Budget: Develop a digital platform that helps patients select the right sunscreen for their unique needs, preferences, and budget.
The Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners (SDNP)
The SDNP is a national organization dedicated to supporting nurse practitioners in medical, surgical, and aesthetic dermatology. Through education, certification, and advocacy, SDNP strengthens the role of NPs in advancing evidence-based dermatologic care. The annual SDNP Conference is a hub for clinical learning, peer connection, and professional growth. One of its standout features is the Dermatology NP Certification Preparation Course, designed to equip attendees with the tools and confidence to pursue board certification and elevate their practice.
To learn more about SDNP and upcoming events, visit their website. At the time of publishing, students can join for free!
Final Thoughts
As aesthetic and dermatology nurse practitioners, your recommendations shape behavior, build trust, and influence health outcomes. When we intentionally promote sunscreens that support the lived experiences of patients with skin of color, we move one step closer to more inclusive and effective care. This article is not only a product guide, but a call to action for practice innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.
Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, WCC
I am a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, educator, and author dedicated to advancing dermatology nursing education and research with an emphasis on skin of color. As the founder of Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research, I aim to expand access to dermatology research, business acumen, and innovation using artificial intelligence and augmented reality while also leading professional groups and mentoring clinicians. Through engaging and informative social media content and peer-reviewed research, I empower nurses and healthcare professionals to excel in dermatology and improve patient care.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
